Page 65 of These Deadly Vows

My husband has been trying to suck up to me for the past few days. Going out of his way to kiss me before he even leaves the bed in the morning. Treating me to breakfast in bed. Suggesting I go out to lunch with Carla though he doesn’t like her because of her family name and her brothers and saying she can come to the club only pool party.

“Cool. I came prepared for both.” He gets his supplies ready.

“How do you know the club?”

“My brother-in-law. My husband’s oldest brother is a member.”

“Malice, right?”

“Yup. Their mother is my business partner.”

“What’s that like? Working so closely with family?”

“It’s not been without challenges.” He grins, draping a cape across my shoulders. “Just the color or you want a trim too?”

“Let’s do some layers.”

“Okay, Mrs. Thang. I’m going to mix your color, you just relax.”

I pull out my phone to text with Carla. We didn’t get to do our movie night.

Adeline: Girl’s night? We can get shitfaced and watch movies.

Carla: Will Capone be there?

Adeline: That would defeat the purpose of girl’s night.

Axe strolls in looking like he crawled out of a box in the alley. Bloodshot eyes, wrinkled jeans, and a rumpled tee.

I ignore him and stare at my screen, waiting for Carla to reply to me about our bestie date.

Carla: I’ll be over after dinner with my parents.

“Is it a requirement to be a member of the club that the men have to be good looking?” Alfonso asks as he sections my hair for the color.

“Nah. Have you met Butcher?” He’s not even a little cute. He’s exactly the type of man I envision when I think of a serial killer. He’s got one of those faces only a mother could love.

“I suppose there’s always an exception to the rule,” he notes.

“Hey, I need to pick up the meat order for the party. Can I trust that you’ll stay put?” Axe stands before me with his hands shoved in his pockets. I glance past him, giving him the silent treatment. He’s sleeping with the enemy and therefore no friend of mine.

“She’ll be in my chair a while. Girl, you’ve got thick hair.”

“You’ve got my number if something comes up. I’ll send a prospect up, just in case.”

“We’ll be cool. Now go and get. Your pretty face is too distracting, and I’ve got work to do,” my stylist gives him his marching orders.

“Are you mad at me or something?”

I continue with the silent treatment.

Alfonso looks at me, then back at Axe, but doesn’t comment.

“All right. Whatever.” Axe leaves.

“Honey, you are ice cold. What did that fine ass man do to you?”

I spill the tea to Alfonso, telling him all about Boo.

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